Redundant track and rail system

ABSTRACT

A redundant track and rail system wherein a trolley can roll between two rails, and the trolley also has a puck that slides in one or more tracks, to create a secondary safety system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus that has a redundant safety system, and allows a user to move or be displaced in from one location to another along a challenge course through a track or rail system track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Challenge courses are structures that allow a person or team to challenge themselves by participating in various events such as walking along swinging ropes or planks, at elevated heights. These courses are also used to train military personnel. These courses are also used at recreational parks or other such centers that have go-carts and miniature golf.

A track may allow a user to move by having a trolley with a puck disposed above the track.

A rail system uses rigid rails on which a trolley having wheels can roll.

The present invention is a challenge course having a track and a rail system. The track may follow the rail system to provide for a redundant or secondary safety system that allows a user to move or displace from one location to another.

The present invention is also a challenge course having more one or more tracks to provide a secondary or tertiary redundant safety course.

Multiple embodiments of the system are disclosed herein. It will be understood that other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a redundant track and rail system, comprising: a rail; a trolley rollably engaged with said rail; a secondary safety system; whereby if the trolley becomes disengaged from said rail; the trolley does not fall from engagement with a track.

Another aspect of the present invention is a redundant track and rail system, comprising: a challenge course portion; said challenge course portion having a track; a rail; a trolley; said trolley having a puck; said trolley having a wheel said puck is slidably disposed on said track; and said wheel is rollably disposed on said rail.

Another aspect of the present invention is a redundant track and rail system, comprising: a challenge course portion; said challenge course portion having a track having a track aperture; a trolley; said trolley having a puck; said puck slidably disposed on said track; said trolley extends downwardly through said track aperture; and said wheels are rollably disposed on said rail.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention a portion with a track only, and a portion with the track and rail;

FIG. 3 is another pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in a track and interchange;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of a and rail;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the track without the rail;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of line A-A from FIG. 4 top view of one embodiment of the zip track of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the dual track without the rail using a dual puck trolley;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the dual track using the dual track trolley and a rail;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another embodiment of the trolley; and

FIG. 10 is a pictorial of an embodiment different from FIGS. 3 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference Numerals List

10 redundant track and rail system

20 track

30 puck

40 wheel

50 trolley

60 rail

70 challenge course portion

80 rail support member

90 interchange

100 channel

110 track aperture

120 puck securement member

130 axle

140 safety harness

150 platform

160 pole

170 dual puck securement means

180 brake plate

190 support plate

200 rail aperture

210 dual puck trolley

220 secondary safety system

230 tertiary safety system

240 first distance

250 second distance

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives, and similar words. Also, “connected to,” “secured to,” or similar language includes the definitions “indirectly connected to,” “directly connected to,” “indirectly secured to,” and “directly secured to.”

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention 10, which may be referred to as a redundant course and rail system 10. The present invention 10 may have one or more challenge courses 70 alone, or combined with one or more rail 60. In another embodiment the present invention may have one or more rails 60 alone, or combined with one or more challenge courses 70.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a track 20 and rail 60 of the present invention 10. The track 20 may have an opening called a channel aperture 110. A rail support member 80 may span the length of the rail 60, and may have a support plate 190 extending downwardly therefrom to a rail 60. A trolley 50 may have a puck 30 and a wheel 40. In one embodiment the puck 30 may be disposed above the wheel 40 or wheels 40 on the trolley 50. The trolley 50 may extend downwardly from the puck through track aperture 110 and downwardly through a rail aperture 200.

The puck 30 being securely disposed above the track 20 creates a secondary safety system 220 that prevents the trolley 50 from dislodging from or off of the rail 60. The puck 30 having a diameter larger than the track aperture 110 prevents the trolley 50 from being dislodged from the track 20.

In one embodiment the track 20 may be operably connected to an interchange 90. The interchange 90 may have a track 20 that diverges into two (2) or more directions, as best seen in FIG. 3. The interchange 90 may have a track 20 that braches off into a direction different from a first track 20. As FIG. 2 has a T-shaped track 20 pattern. For example, if a user is using the track 20 or rail 60 with the illustrated trolley 50 on it, the trolley 50 may be displaced toward the interchange 90 and the trolley 50 or user can either go left or right as it approaches the substantially perpendicular track 20.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interchange 90 where the user can elect to go in either of the three (3) directions. The interchange 90 of FIG. 3 illustrates a trolley 50 located at a position, wherein the user may move the trolley 50 in three (3) different directions. However other interchanges 90 may have two (2) or more directions of travel. For example, one interchange 90 may have seven (7) directions of travel from the user to select from.

FIG. 3 illustrates a puck 30 disposed above a track 20. The trolley 50 extends downwardly from the puck 30 through a track aperture 110, and the wheels 40 may be rollably engaged with a rail 60.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a rail 60 that a wheel 40 may rollably engage with, so the trolley 50 may roll on the rail 60. The trolley 50, puck 30, and wheels 40 can be configured so when the wheels 40 are rolling along the rail 60, the puck 30 may not contact the track 20. In other words a first distance 240 from the bottom surface of the puck 30 to the upper surface of the rail 60 may be greater than a second distance 250 from the top surface of the track 20 to the top surface of the rail 60 (as seen in FIG. 6). If for some reason the wheel 40 falls from the rail 60, the puck 30 would then rest against the track 20 to keep the trolley 50 and any user from falling, which is referred to as the secondary safety system 220. This may be better seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a challenge course portion 70 and a rail 60. The user may stand on a platform 150, and then become displaced from the platform 150 to a different location, such as a different platform 150.

A pole 60 may support the challenge course portion 70 and/or the rail 60.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of an embodiment of a track 20. There is no rail 60 in this figure. A puck securement member 120 prevents the puck 30 from becoming disassembled or falling apart from the trolley 50 by keeping the puck 30 secured on the trolley 50.

The puck 30 disposed above the track 20, having a puck 30 with a larger diameter than the track aperture 100, prevents the puck 30 from falling out of the track 20, thus creating a secondary safety system 220.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of an embodiment of a track 20 and rail 60. A puck securement member 120 prevents the puck 30 from becoming disassembled or falling apart from the trolley 50 by keeping the puck 30 secured on the trolley 50. The wheels 40 may be rollably engaged with the rail 60 and the puck 30 provides for a redundant means to secure the trolley 50 from being removed from or falling from the track 20 or rail 60.

FIG. 6 also illustrates that the first distance 240 from the bottom surface of the puck 30 to the upper surface of the rail 60 may be greater than the second distance 250 from the top surface of the track 20 to the top surface of the rail 60. If for some reason the wheel 40 falls from the rail 60, the puck 30 would then rest against the track 20 to keep the trolley 50 and any user from falling, which is referred to as the secondary safety system 220.

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 5, however the apparatus of FIG. 7 has two pucks 30, and may be referred to as a dual puck trolley 210. So, extending upwardly from a lower puck 30 may be a dual puck securement means 170 to which a second puck 30 may be connected. This second puck 30 may be slidably engaged with track 30 disposed upwardly from a lower track 30.

FIG. 8 illustrates the same dual puck trolley 210 of FIG. 7, except on a rail 60. This dual puck trolley 210 when movably engaged with two tracks 20 create a tertiary safety system.

FIG. 9 illustrates a trolley 50 in which the wheel 40 is disposed upwardly from the puck 30. In this configuration the puck 30 is slidably disposed on the track 20. The track 20 may be a rectangular shaped bean with a track aperture 110.

FIG. 10 illustrates another trolley 50 configuration. In this configuration a wheel 40 may be disposed on one side of the trolley 50, and the puck 30 is illustrated upwardly from the wheel 40.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A redundant track and rail system (10), comprising: a rail (60); a trolley (50) rollably engaged with said rail (60); and a secondary safety system (220); whereby if the trolley becomes disengaged from said rail; the trolley (50) does not fall from engagement with a track (20).
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trolley (50) has at least one puck (30) disposed above at least one wheel (40).
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said trolley (50) has two wheels (40) that are rollably engaged with two rails (60); both of said rails (60) having a rail aperture (200) disposed between each of said rail (60).
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said secondary safety system comprises: a track (20); said trolley (50) having a puck (30) slidably disposed on said track (20).
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said secondary safety system comprises: a track (20); and said trolley (50) having a puck (30) slidably disposed on said track (20).
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trolley (50) has at least one puck (30) disposed below at least one wheel (40).
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trolley (50) has at least one wheel (40) secured to one side of the trolley (50).
 8. A redundant track and rail system (10), comprising: a challenge course portion (70); said challenge course portion having a track (20); a rail (60); a trolley (50); said trolley (50) having a puck (30); said trolley (50) having a wheel (40) said puck (30) is slidably disposed on said track (20); and said wheel (40) is rollably disposed on said rail (60).
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, a first distance (240) from the bottom surface of the puck (30) to the upper surface of the rail (60) may be greater than a second distance (250) from the top surface of the track (20) to the top surface of the rail (60).
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a secondary safety system (220); whereby if the trolley becomes disengaged from said rail; the trolley (50) does not fall from engagement with a track (20).
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a tertiary safety system (230); whereby if the trolley becomes disengaged from said rail; the trolley (50) does not fall from engagement with a track (20).
 12. A redundant track and rail system (10), comprising: a challenge course portion (70); said challenge course portion having a track (20) having a track aperture (110); a trolley (50); said trolley (50) having a puck (30); said puck (30) is slidably disposed on said track (20); said trolley extends downwardly through said track aperture (110); and said wheels (40) are rollably disposed on said rail (60).
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: two rails (60) separated by a rail aperture (200).
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: said trolley (50) having two wheels (40) on opposed sides of said trolley (50).
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said wheels (40) disposed downwardly from said puck (30).
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said trolley extends downwardly through and a rail aperture (200).
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a first distance (240) from the bottom surface of the puck (30) to the upper surface of the rail (60) may be greater than a second distance (250) from the top surface of the track (20) to the top surface of the rail (60).
 18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a secondary safety system (220); whereby if the trolley becomes disengaged from said rail; the trolley (50) does not fall from engagement with a track (20).
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a tertiary safety system (230); whereby if the trolley becomes disengaged from said rail; the trolley (50) does not fall from engagement with a track (20). 